West Ham have been heavily linked with a move for Brazilian striker sensation Kaio Jorge and now he has responded after the Hammers made an official enquiry.
West Ham are on the hunt to sign a new striker for Nuno Espirito Santo in the January transfer window.
The Hammers are already well short up front with ageing duo Niclas Fullkrug and Callum Wilson being Nuno’s only realistic, senior options.
In fairness, Wilson has been good value since arriving in a controversial free transfer move in the summer.
Fullkrug has been a disaster since being signed for £27m by former technical director Tim Steidten.
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The German is being offloaded in January, either back to Germany or Italy.
Hammers News recently revealed Nuno has been unimpressed by Fullkrug’s attitude and application during cameos since returning from his latest injury.
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Fullkrug wants out too and the latest chapter in West Ham’s book of striker flops will be closed soon.
Who will replace him is the big question – and getting it right has perhaps never been as important in West Ham’s Premier League history.
The Hammers look set to be in a fight for survival until the bitter end this season.
Signing the right striker, who will help the team get the goals and wins needed to stay up is absolutely critical.
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A host of forwards have been linked with a move to the London Stadium from Joshua Zirkzee to Ivan Toney and Promise David.
One name in particular keeps being mentioned as Nuno’s prime target in Kaio Jorge.
After Nuno’s arrival in October, Hammers News reported West Ham were ‘offered’ Cruzeiro’s Kaio Jorge by ‘intermediaries’.
Brazilian sources also claimed the Irons have done their fair share of the legwork on the deal too ahead of a potential January swoop.
RTI Esporte claim that West Ham told Cruzeiro they are willing to spend £22 million bringing the former Juventus starlet back to Europe.
Kaio Jorge responds to official West Ham move
Now Brazilian striker sensation Jorge has responded to an official enquiry from West Ham.
UOL claim The Hammers have approached Cruzeiro with an official enquiry about what it would take to sign Jorge in January.
The response was very encouraging because Cruzeiro reportedly informed West Ham that Jorge, who has scored 26 goals in 43 games for the Brazilian side this year, is available to buy.
However, the Hammers will have to raise their offer by around £8m to nearer £30m to get a deal done. Jorge has a ridiculous £80m release clause but his club can sell him for whatever price they see fit.
The big problem for West Ham, though, is the player’s response.
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According to the report, even if Cruzeiro receive an official offer matching their terms, they will very much leave the move up to the player.
And Jorge is said to be ‘prioritising only clubs from Europe’s elite’ if he is to move back across the Atlantic.
So in addition to being irresistible for Cruzeiro, any offer would have to attract the player.
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Unfortunately West Ham are not among Europe’s elite.
So that may well explain why West Ham’s attentions have turned to another Brazilian striker playing in Portugal.
Meanwhile the club’s top scout believes he has identified West Ham’s January striker signing much closer to home.
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